Fire Situation Report – December 18, 2013

* Protection Area Statistics do not reflect local fire department’s fire run information. Statistics are for the ODAFF-Forestry Services’ Fire Protection Area in eastern Oklahoma unless otherwise noted in the Discussion section of this report.

** - These statistics are from Fire Departments that have reported their information on the Oklahoma Forestry Services web-based Fire Reporting System. Totals do not reflect the total acres burned or total number of fires that have occurred in Oklahoma.

Statewide Discussion: No reports of unusual fire behavior and no requests for State assistance were received.

Fire danger today will be highest north of a line from Delaware County to Jefferson County, with the worst fire weather conditions in the Oklahoma Panhandle. Temperatures are forecast to climb into the mid- to upper-60 degree range. Relative humidity in the Panhandle is expected to drop into the single digits. Moving east from the Panhandle, relative humidity will climb into the mid-30% range. Southerly winds are forecast, sustained at 15-20 mph with gusts near and above 30 mph. Any fire starting this afternoon in and near this area will burn very intensely with moderate to rapid rates of spread.

SPECIAL NOTE TO THE PUBLIC: Outdoor burning is discouraged in the area described above. Today’s gusty winds, warm temperatures and low relative humidity will create fire weather conditions that will allow any fire started to easily escape control.

One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire – Many roadside fires are started due to vehicles dragging chains or continuing to drive on a rim after experiencing a flat tire. The metal dragging across the road surface showers hot metal into the roadside grass. Under warm, dry conditions the grassy fuels are very susceptible to ignition from the hot metal spark. Please ensure that any chains on trailers are secured and unable to reach the road surface. If you experience a flat or low tire, please don’t continue driving. Driving on the exposed wheel rim showers sparks.

No Burn Bans are currently in effect. For information concerning burn bans click on the following link: